How did you get started working out?

I have a problem with motivation. I've started going to the gym, which is a plus, but I can't see myself working hard enough to get the body that I want. I mostly do cardio, but also some strength training. So I want to know, for those of you who have the body you want, what got you started? Two specifics I'd like to know are:

Did you need a personal trainer or a friend to help you or were you able to do it on your own?

How long before you started seeing results?

And anything else you think might be helpful for me or people like me? Thanks!

I started and still workout because I am dysmorphic. I look down and get my motivation

But to be 100% helpful and honest, get a better looking workout partner. That is what I did and it is how I stayed motivated. He has better pecs, abs, shoulders, everything is way more defined (he is a mesomorphic jerk), but all of that keeps me motivated.

I started working out seriously at 28. As I approached thirty, I was worried about my supercharged metabolism slowing down. I've never had a weight problem, but I did want to be stronger. I got a discounted gym membership at a gym where two friends worked out (they didn't last long).

I didn't have much clue as to how to create a workout, so I did hire a trainer for a few sessions to create a couple for me. I still use those programs. They obviously still work for me, but I do wonder if I'd be even more successful if I changed my routines.

I started working out 4 times a week, but it was too much. I knew I might get bored at that pace, so I cut back to 3 times a week (but I don't beat myself up if I only get there once or twice a week, as long as it doesn't happen too often).

I started seeing results that I really liked probably after one month.

I did stop working out for 3 years while I was in NY, but started working out again a year and a half ago after returning to L.A.

Lately, I seem to be getting more compliments than ever. I don't know if I broke through some sort of plateau, or if it's because I've been getting some sun lately, or what, but I'm not questioning it!

I started around 24, realizing that if I was the same weight then that I was when I graduated high school, things weren't going to change without effort. I had no idea what I was doing at first, as before then I only ever went to a gym because that's where the volleyball court was, or the tennis court, or whatever. I actually went with an online personal trainer at first, as it was much cheaper than an in-person one and I figured I was self-motivated enough to get myself to the gym even if there was no one to chew me out if I didn't. (I used www.plusoneactive.com, which allowed me to tell the trainer what I was looking for, what level of time I was willing to commit, and where I could leave feedback about difficulty and ask questions and have him answer them and adjust my workouts accordingly within a day). These days, you can find good videos of how to do most exercises at sites like RealJock, so it's not as important to hire someone to tell you how to do a given exercise, but it could still help in designing a routine.

I started out with 3 times a week, half an hour at a time...which turned in 45 minutes...which then eventually saw me moving to 4 days a week..and so on. I felt that it was important to start small and slow, and just make it such an ingrained part of my day that I didn't even question whether I would be going to the gym.

It took me between 3 and 6 months to notice real-life strength changes--carrying my groceries home became easier, my pulse changed less from climbing 3 flights of stairs than it had before, rearranging the furniture was suddenly not a big deal to do, etc. It took more like 6-9 months for me to see significant visible changes, though my (platonic) roommate at the time commented on them before I could see them myself. As a caveat, though, I was coming from the direction of the way too skinny trying to make it into healthier weight ranges; that can take some people longer than the opposite direction, but of course it varies from person to person.

mswete saidI have a problem with motivation. I've started going to the gym, which is a plus, but I can't see myself working hard enough to get the body that I want. I mostly do cardio, but also some strength training. So I want to know, for those of you who have the body you want, what got you started? Two specifics I'd like to know are:

Did you need a personal trainer or a friend to help you or were you able to do it on your own?

How long before you started seeing results?

And anything else you think might be helpful for me or people like me? Thanks!

I started working out because a security guard at one of my jobs asked me if I wanted to go to the gym with him. The company offered a reduced membership to a gym across the street. I joined and have been working out since. It worked out well because we had similar builds and lifted the same weight in most exercises. 2) I saw results after a few months. I think it is a good idea to train with one other person, anymore and it is counter productive. He knew alot of great free weight exercises and cardio tips. I have moved a few times on my third gym now. 1) A personal trainer is a great idea if you don't find an experienced lifting bud.